Tearing with second baby?

tracyl0826

I was just reading about perineal massage to prevent tearing during delivery.  I didn't really do it regularly with my first and did have a small tear.  Just curious to hear if anyone had a tear with their second baby (assuming a similar size as the first) and if you did/did not do the massage regularly.  Thank you!

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nopegoat

Lurking...

With my first I had second degree tears going all the way up and down. My second was the same weight but 2in longer and I did not tear at all. No perineal massage. 

allrightmeow

I tore with my first but feel it was from unnecessary pushing.  We'll be doing warm compresses with olive oil this time around and I'll be listening to my body more this time.  My doctor this time is much more open to what I want.  Go ahead and give it a try.  What can it hurt?  I don't see why it would ONLY work for a FTM and not a STM.  My mid-wife spoke highly of it.  

*sparky*

I did tear with my second but she was sunny side up and it was questionable whether I would be able to deliver her or not because of that. My OB had foreceps ready. So I think the tearing had a lot to do with her position.

barista411

My first was 8lbs 2oz and I had a terrible 4th degree tear. My second was 10lbs 5oz and had a small "skid mark" that did not require stitches.

The biggest difference between the two deliveries was I pushed laying on my side, my MW applied counter pressure and I focused on slow controlled pushes.

My MW discouraged me from doing perineal massage because it can cause swelling. Which in turn causes the tissue to become even more stretched and more likely to tear.

PrimRoseMama

I did it with both & tore with both

Lisa&Mark

First baby was 6 lb 14 oz and my midwife did an episiotomy b/c we needed to get baby out...baby #2 was 8 lb 3 oz and my midwife did this massage during labor (didn't think twice then but makes me lol now) with oil and no tear at all. Didn't do it myself with either.